BOGOTA MAYOR SEEKS CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH EMBASSY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 009269

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER CO VE FARC
SUBJECT: BOGOTA MAYOR SEEKS CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH EMBASSY

Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

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Summary
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1. (C) Ambassador Wood met with Bogota Mayor Luis Eduardo
(Lucho) Garzon on September 22, at the Mayor's request. In a
wide ranging discussion, Garzon requested more contact with
the Ambassador and Embassy staff to improve information
sharing, particularly on security issues. He asked for
assistance in establishing a better working relationship with
the head of the Colombian National Police. The mayor
expressed concern about the existence of demobilized FARC
members in Bogota as well as the growing number of displaced
persons in the capital. On recent press reports regarding
French-FARC contacts on a humanitarian exchange, Garzon
speculated that the FARC was prepared to cut a deal with the
French to release Colombian-French hostage Ingrid Betancourt,
in an attempt to weaken President Uribe's political position.
Garzon also speculated that recent overtures received by the
Mayor of Paris were an attempt to enlist his help. He
predicted that the Constitutional Court will approve
Congressional legislation to permit presidential re-election.
Garzon was critical of Hugo Chavez and expressed concerns
about the future of the left in Latin America if Chavez
becomes its standard bearer.

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Garzon Seeks Closer Relationship with Embassy
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2. (C) Garzon said he desired a close relationship with the
Embassy, suggesting regular meetings with the Ambassador.
The Ambassador and Garzon agreed on the need to be in closer
touch to share information, particularly on security concerns
in Bogota. Garzon also requested Embassy assistance in
making contact with the head of the Colombian National
Police. The Ambassador agreed to arrange a meeting between
the two.

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Increasing Numbers of Demobilized Fighters
and Displaced Persons in Bogota
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3. (C) Garzon said he was concerned about the presence of
four half-way houses for demobilized FARC members in Bogota.
The lack of appropriate resources and few job opportunities
for demobilized fighters put the citizens of Bogota at risk.
The Ambassador reminded the Mayor that Bogota had to share in
the responsibility of helping demobilized fighters return to
society. Garzon agreed but criticized GOC handling of the
situation, saying that without additional investment, the
reinsertion program would fail. Garzon suggested that the
GOC focus more on agricultural investment as a way to employ
the growing number of demobilized fighters. He added that he
had no difficulty with demobilized fighters working in
private security.


4. (C) Garzon noted that Bogota's improved economic
situation had attracted not only people who were displaced as
a result of the ongoing conflict, but also economic migrants
from surrounding Departments. Garzon lamented the lack of
investment in Cundinamarca (where Bogota is situated) and
Boyaca Departments. He expressed concerned that Bogota did
not have the resources to absorb the influx of people from
surrounding areas. The Ambassador suggested that Garzon work
with the UN to assist with the displaced population. Garzon
responded that the UN was too bureaucratic and noted that
some NGOs working these issues were completely politicized.


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FARC Wants to Hurt Uribe with Release of Ingrid Betancourt;
Increased FARC presence in Cundinamarca Department?
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5. (C) Garzon said it was a surprise to him to read in the
press recently that he had invited the Mayor of Paris to
Bogota to discuss the release of Ingrid Betancourt. He
denied extending the invitation and speculated that the Mayor
of Paris and the former French Ambassador to Colombia Daniel
Parfait (now MFA Director for Latin American affairs and the
husband of Betancourt's sister) were looking for ways to
legitimize French efforts to free Betancourt. Garzon said
the FARC wanted to cut a deal with the French to release
Betancourt in an effort to weaken Uribe's political position.
He also believed the FARC have concluded that a freed
Betancourt speaking out against Uribe from France could
damage the president politically. Garzon said that, while he
supported Betancourt's release, he did not want to be used by
the French in their efforts to free her.

6. (C) Garzon also expressed concern about a growing FARC
presence in Sumapaz, in southwest Cundinamarca Department.
He said an "army to army confrontation" was a possibility.
(Note. In the 1990s, the high plains of Sumapaz, connecting
Cundinamarca with Meta and Huila Departments, was a FARC
stronghold and a significant mobility corridor into Bogota.
The Sumapaz region also controls an important regional
transportation corridor. The army has stationed a brigade
there to obstruct FARC movements. End Note.)

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Garzon on Reelection
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7. (C) Garzon predicted that the Constitutional Court would
rule in favor of reelection, but stressed that, in his view,
it would not guarantee Uribe's reelection. He claimed to
have no opinion on the merits of reelection.

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A Positive Agenda for the Region: Look to the Cities
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8. (C) Garzon was openly critical of Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez and expressed concern for the left in Latin
America if Chavez were to become its standard bearer. In
response to the Ambassador's query about how Garzon would
create a positive agenda that would resonate in the region,
Garzon said the way to shore up democracy was to focus on the
development of cities (where 75 percent of Colombians live).
This meant building fiscal accountability, expanding access
to quality education, and improving health care. This was
his agenda, he said, and that of his party, the Independent
Democratic Pole (Polo Democratico Independiente).


9. (C) Garzon noted that Chavez and his supporters here,
such as Rep. Gustavo Petro, were trying to bring him into
their orbit, which he has rejected. He believes President
Lula's troubles in Brazil have created a vacuum on the left
in the region.
WOOD